Using Transitions to Add Information and Emphasis

You can make your ideas easier to follow by adding transition words or phrases between paragraphs and sentences. Transitions alert readers to new important ideas and details. Here are some transitions that can help you introduce new ideas and emphasize key points.

Transitions to Add Information

Transitions to Emphasize a Point

This sample paragraph starts with a topic sentence that states an opinion. Transitions then signal each new reason to support the opinion:

We need an afternoon recess for many reasons. The first reason is we get really antsy after a lot of seatwork. In fact, we stay seated in our classroom for entire afternoons some days. Another reason is we don’t have a lot of time to play with friends. Lunch recess is really short, and the playground gets crowded. So it is hard to play and make friends. Finally, we just need the exercise. Kids need to run around and play games. It isn’t healthy to sit for so long.

Your Turn Fill in the blank with an appropriate transition from the following list: another, with all this in mind, in fact, finally.

Our community pool is due for repairs. One area of concern is the foundation, which has large cracks and chips. ____________, a kid this summer sliced open his toe on one of the cracks. ____________ troublesome area is the surface around the pool. Simply put, it's too slippery. Whatever sealer used to be there rubbed off. ____________, the pool doesn't have any of the cool features of pools in other communities. There are no slides, lazy rivers, water spouts, or diving boards. ____________, our community pool badly needs updating.